HOME FORUM RULES CONTACT
     
   
   

Go Back   CLASS RACER FORUM > Class Racer Forums > Stock and Super Stock
Register Photo Gallery FAQ Community Calendar

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-10-2009, 01:23 PM   #1
Jim Wahl
Veteran Member
 
Jim Wahl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 5,844
Likes: 666
Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts
Send a message via AIM to Jim Wahl Send a message via Yahoo to Jim Wahl
Question Tech Officials Qualifications?

I have a serious question. What exactly does it take to become a certified NHRA tech official? Are there tests that must be taken? Are there certain qualifications? What exactly does it take? Also, after you are certified as a tech official, what ongoing training or classes (CEU's) must be taken? Is there an official NHRA school for their tech officials?

All of us who have been around for a while pretty much know which tech officials know their jobs. However there seems to be quite a few "loose cannons" out there who make things up when they don't know the answer which makes things more complicated for all racers and other tech officials. It seems to me that if there were a central technical informational resource site that all tech officials could call or go to, it might reduce the amount of problems encountered in tech. Jim
__________________
Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess)
2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion
2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion
1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up
Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.
Jim Wahl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2009, 05:35 PM   #2
BlueOval Ralph
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

Be able to get up in the morning and work for nothing or next to nothing!!!!



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Wahl View Post
I have a serious question. What exactly does it take to become a certified NHRA tech official? Are there tests that must be taken? Are there certain qualifications? What exactly does it take? Also, after you are certified as a tech official, what ongoing training or classes (CEU's) must be taken? Is there an official NHRA school for their tech officials?

All of us who have been around for a while pretty much know which tech officials know their jobs. However there seems to be quite a few "loose cannons" out there who make things up when they don't know the answer which makes things more complicated for all racers and other tech officials. It seems to me that if there were a central technical informational resource site that all tech officials could call or go to, it might reduce the amount of problems encountered in tech. Jim
BlueOval Ralph is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2009, 06:43 PM   #3
Bill Howell
Sponsor
 
Bill Howell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Aiken, SC
Posts: 315
Likes: 28
Liked 218 Times in 61 Posts
Default Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

Back in the 80's, when we had a drag strip, in order to be sanctioned and insured we had to go to a Tech Inspection class by the sanctioning body and be certified. All the basic safety items were stressed, seat belts, helmets, lug nuts, driveshaft loops, etc. Also, how to look for and handle substance abuse.
I would surely hope that is still the case.
Bill Howell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2009, 07:48 PM   #4
Jack Matyas
Live Reporter
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA
Posts: 4,927
Likes: 406
Liked 2,050 Times in 398 Posts
Send a message via AIM to Jack Matyas
Smile Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

Jim - Since you stated you had a serious question i'll try and give you a serious answer .First , all tech people are SFI tested -- mostly on safety issues - there are several levels depending on where you are going to work at -- local track workers then divisional then National event workers and so on .As for class car info you either have it or spend time learning from Divisional workers who train .Yes , its long hours and short pay but can be very rewarding to some .Anyone interested should contact their Division Director as the NHRA is just like the Marines -- they need a few good men (and women) .

One last thing -- a unnamed Division Director once told me I could steal anything I wanted as a 'techie' -- with my eyes ...........

Hope I've helped.............
__________________
Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO
Jack Matyas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2009, 07:34 AM   #5
Bob Pagano
VIP Member
 
Bob Pagano's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: New Holland, PA Mooresville,NC
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 239
Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts
Default Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

Jack is right on. We all know everyone respects Wesley, how did he get all that knowledge ? He was trained by the best. In the early 70s he was in Div. 1 and learned from one of the best back in the day Greg X.
__________________
Bob Pagano A/SA
Bob Pagano is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2009, 08:00 AM   #6
X-TECH MAN
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Lake Placid, Florida
Posts: 3,203
Likes: 1,047
Liked 235 Times in 110 Posts
Talking Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlueOval Ralph View Post
Be able to get up in the morning and work for nothing or next to nothing!!!!
You forgot you must be CRAZY also.
X-TECH MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2009, 08:12 AM   #7
Michael Beard
VIP Member
 
Michael Beard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 4,060
Likes: 0
Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts
Default Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

Even for weekly program local tracks, there is a tech certification test.
__________________
Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS
Michael Beard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2009, 09:15 AM   #8
art leong
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Richmond Hill, Georgia
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bob pagano View Post
jack is right on. We all know everyone respects wesley, how did he get all that knowledge ? He was trained by the best. In the early 70s he was in div. 1 and learned from one of the best back in the day greg x.
x2
__________________
Art Leong 2095 SS
art leong is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2009, 10:57 AM   #9
Duster 7695
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
Liked 8 Times in 6 Posts
Default Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

You have to pass a written test to be SFI Certified. You must be re-certified by passing a test every two years. Each division has a head tech inspector. If an inspector is not certain about a technical issue he, or she, should contact their division head tech inspector for guidance. If you have a problem with a decision made by a tech inspector you should ask the inspector to show you the section in the rule book that covers the decision the inspector made. I am at the bottom end of tech inspectors and only carry a copper card.

Raul
Duster 7695 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-11-2009, 02:12 PM   #10
Jack McCarthy
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area
Posts: 1,318
Likes: 28
Liked 459 Times in 113 Posts
Wink Re: Tech Officials Qualifications?

1. must be willing to work for appx $8 per hour, no overtime for dailys up to 15 hours
2. must be willing to work in near 100 degree heat & 90% humiduty (division 3)
3. must be willing to take verbal abuse for your superiors ignorant decisions
4. must be willing to have your experience overridden at a moments notice by your superiors ignorance
5. must be willing to wear red white & blue suit so everyone knows you are willing to take 1-4
6. must be willing to carry around a rule book which absolutely no one cares about, especially superiors

applications are available online under NHRA CHUMP

LOL
jack mccarthy

most amazing is that there are actually 3-5 of these guys who do a great job every damn week !
__________________
Jack McCarthy 3609 STK
"the Captain"
Jack McCarthy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:59 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright Class Racer.com. All Rights Reserved. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.